Tue Dec 20 2022 08:42:01 GMT+0200 (South Africa Standard Time) - QikTruck Media
Logistics operations have become increasingly complex with data scattered across multiple locations, systems, and applications. At the same time, identifying solutions to support cost-efficient and real-time automation of processes is an imperative for logistics companies. As cloud computing continues to evolve, so must the solutions that logistics companies employ to gain an edge in the marketplace. One such solution is Azure Functions.
Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that enables solutions in the cloud to run almost instantaneously and with no maintenance. With on-demand scalability, services can expand or contract as needed, ensuring a cost-effective approach to cloud computing. One way that companies can leverage Azure Functions in the logistics space is by responding to Azure CDN events with pre-set functions.
Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a cloud-based platform solution used to deliver content to end-users. Built on a global network of servers, the CDN can improve the performance and availability of services for customers. QikTruck makes use of the latest in cloud-based technologies to provide its customers with the best experience possible.
By connecting Azure Functions to Azure CDN events, pre-written instructions can be triggered that execute operations when the CDN receives a specified request from the customer. By setting up Azure Functions to respond to CDN requests, logistics companies can dramatically improve the efficiency of their operations for tasks such as sending ETAs (Estimated Time of Arrival) to customers, providing updates on the status of a delivery, or even sending notifications when conditions are met.
For example, if a request is sent to the CDN for the estimated time of delivery, an Azure Function could be setup to generate the request then provide the answer to the customer. By responding directly to customers’ specific requests, companies can reduce the need for costly customer service teams and reduce the response times for customers. This provides a major benefit in optimizing customer service.
Implementing Azure Functions for the purposes of responding to Azure CDN is a fairly straightforward process. The process for setting up the functions can be broken down into the following steps:
For example, in the case of sending ETA notifications to customers, the pre-written function that triggers on receipt of a request can look something like this:
Function TriggerOnCDNReceive{
MonitorId = GetIdFromCDN();
OrderDetails = BlobStorage.GetDataFromId(MonitorId);
CalculateETA();
SendNotificationToCustomer();
}
The above pseudo-code shows the function that is triggered once the CDN receives a request from the customer. The function retrieves the data related to the order from Azure Blob Storage, calculates the estimated time of delivery, and then sends the customer a notification.
Azure Functions provide a robust way of responding to customer inquiries quickly and efficiently, improving customer satisfaction and reducing the load on customer service teams. Additionally, Azure Functions reduce the need for manual responses and help companies to focus on other parts of their operations. By immediately responding to customers with data-driven answers, companies are better able to serve customers in real-time.
No longer restricted by physical IT infrastructure or software development resources, Azure Functions provide faster and more efficient ways to respond to customer queries. By leveraging the power of cloud computing and automating responses, companies are free to spend more time on other core operations and enhancing customer experiences.